Linux kernel 3.8 available

“Unicycling Gorilla” is the code name for Linux 3.8, released today by Linus Torvalds after ten weeks of development. The name is once more derived from an event in Torvald’s life and an anecdote without significance, but many Linux users will benefit from the many enhancements in the latest kernel version.

In this kernel version, the Nouveau kernel driver will include everything that the OpenGL driver – which is part of current versions of Mesa 3D and is also called Nouveau – needs to use the 3D acceleration of all GeForce graphics chips available so far, without further configuration. F2FS (Flash-Friendly File System) support was also added. Additional features were added to both Btrfs and Ext4.